Thursday, September 2, 2010

Yesterday Once More: 1997 Navy MSTD Trip Day 2

2nd Sept 1997 Flashback :

Today was "Chu Yi" but I forget that it is. Chief ET told me just last night, yet I forget it. Woke up at 7.45am and kept forenoon watch (8am - 12 noon). In the afternoon, kept the ropes and change new ones. Was a bit tired after that. Evening time was a frustrating time mainly because of 2 incidents.

First, after I knew it is "Chu Yi", I try to have a vegetarian meal. I bring my vegetarian instant noodles to the galley and ask Cook Peng to pass me a bowl to cook it. There is no more china bowl, so he pass me a glass pan. Chief Cook who was in a foul mood, vented his frustration on me by shouting at me, saying that cannot be used. Though I was angry also for being shouted at unfairly, I kept mum, didn't want to create any unnecessary quarrels. Anyway, "bu xiang ge lao ren jia zhen chao" (don't want to quarrel with old folks).

Next incident, during rounds, the new XO kept his usual "make a mountain out of a molehill" pattern, saying my area wasn't ready for his rounds. I really try to clean the area and another area which is not really mine. Another old folk, the attached Coxswain also kept shining his torchlight at some areas , add salt and vinegar. Wow, already long time never kena such treatment. I made a careless mistake by requesting for another helper. That Coxswain stared at me , perhaps feeling I'm trying to be funny. I don't think I'm. Anyway, a rerounds was to be done but later they cancelled it. Now 11.10pm, thinking to rest or to watch TV. Tomorrow early morning watch very "sian". Also, I feel today quite problematic, should try to keep low key for the rest of the trip, otherwise trouble will trouble me. Am I right?
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The above was what I encounter during the 2nd day of my MSTD trip. Doesn't sound good. On the ship crew mention, Cook Peng was many people (including me) favourite chef onboard L202. Whenever do guard duty with him, always get to enjoy some special dishes other than the usual SAF style of food. He's also like to work out in the ship gym and given me some tips during the MSTD trip on how to pump iron. I'm not a good student though.

We have a new XO at that time and maybe "Xin guan shang ren san ba huo" style. The previous XO also have his own style of managing the shipcrews and I wasn't used to his words when I just came onboard but got used to it eventually. In fact, we got on quite well after playing together in the ship football matches. I remember he gave me encouragement on the pitch during our football game in Palembang, Indonesia in Jan 1997. Don't think the new XO is interested in football.

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